For a long while I've been meaning to breathe some life into my cricket-infested Youtube channel, but TBH I don't know what to do. Instructional videos? Bah, no. I don't even like YT tutorials myself so that would feel like hypocrisy of the highest order as well as a bloody waste of time. Music videos? Hmm... I guess I could dress up in medieval garb and film myself playing along to Traveling Minstrels in the middle of a forest. On a midi controller. Preferably a keytar.

Then again, maybe not.

However... I have been thinking about creating some sort of mini documentary about the creation of SSO (or more correctly, my reasons for creating it rather than going into the technical process). And I was thinking it might be cool to invite some fellow developers like samulis, Paul Battersby and bigcat1969 to give their take on the whole "free orchestra" thing. And why not a few longtime users of SSO as well?

Please keep in mind that video is NOT my forte. I lack the skill and proper equipment (I have a couple of ageing smartphones, at least one of them will film in 1080p IIRC) and my editing experience is limited to Windows Movie Maker. But I realize that if I'm going to learn this stuff I need to start somewhere, and to start somewhere I need a worthwile project for learning.

So... would anyone even be interested in something like this? Either participating, or just watching it once it's finished?

If I were to run into a documentary like that, I'd share it instantly everywhere I could.

As to contribution, I could edit and perhaps do simple titling and other elementary After Effects -type stuff. I specialize in audio at film school, but we did get to practice a little bit of everything. I'd also love to help brainstorm the interview questions and/or narration. As to recording, I'd otherwise love to interview and record folks via Skype, but my computer is way too weak to pull off high resolution Skype screen capture.

Thanks for the offer Otto, much appreciated! But as I'm probably going to have to learn all that technical stuff (editing, titling) myself at some point sooner or later, why not just dive in rather than let others handle the difficult bits, ya know?

As for brainstorming and coming up with some kind of script for the whole thing, I'd be happy to take you up on that. This is still just a tiny seed rather than a proper idea though, so I'll get back to you once I have something figured out more clearly. Just testing the waters.

I'd be happy to contribute however I can. We should throw together a google doc or somewhere where we can all spitball.

The general process I employ is as follows:
1. Write down all key points on sticky notes.
2. Play around with order between these and add transition sticky notes as needed.
3. Write out the entire thing, refining language.
4. Review entire script.

Of course, this is for product manuals. Still, thinking structurally then fleshing out is probably best. I always loved those 90's history channel documentaries where it was virtually someone reading a five-paragraph essay with evidence from reliable sources and inclusion of contrary opinions (as opposed to sensationalist crap we see today on there).

I think if we have the idea of the theme of "The Free Orchestra", we should start by listing out all the main components of that subject a la brainstorm.

I'm happy to answer questions as a long time user of SSO and/or as the architect of Virtual Playing Orchestra, but I'm not sure yet if I want to be video taped or recorded while being interviewed. As for what videos to place on your YouTube channel, if not tutorials, then what about something subtly different like an orchestration "walk-through" like this one? I'd like to see more of these on YouTube:

I can't really contrubite anything (I think), but I just wanna to let you know that the idea sounds pretty cool. I think SSO is pretty important (maybe even iconic) for everyone who wanted to get his hands on Virtual Orchestrating but couldn't effort a lot just to try something out (like students, I mean thats how I started and I think my story is pretty similar to these of a lot of people).

Actually people who use / have used the instruments would be great to have on a documentary I would think. I mean what is the point otherwise? Look at the shiny new orchestra I made that no one has ever downloaded or used.

I'd definitely watch something like what you're suggesting. I don't have anything to contribute on the technical end but I'm a pretty good workshopper, once things start going, and I could see having useful input on the subjects, organization, what sorts of questions might come to the mind of a viewer, and so forth.

When you say it might be about why you made SSO all of the confused information cluttering up the internet that you've mentioned before come to mind; is this what you're getting at? Your down to Earth approach to VO is one of the many great things about your articles, so a "video companion" with that sentiment would certainly be worth watching and even help you reach a wider audience.